Peering Into the 13-year Making of InSitu Garden

For 13 years, Richard Hartlage has nurtured a vision where man and nature gently merge—a garden born from a passion for art and a deep dialogue with the land. “It is a very quiet, restful place. Simply strolling along the pathways or sitting on the terrace, gazing at distant views, rejuvenates both mind and body,” he says.

Hartlage, the Founding Principal and CEO of Seattle’s Land Morphology, speaks of the InSitu Garden—his proudest creation. Nestled in Redding, Connecticut, this eight-acre garden is far more than a space; it is a living, evolving masterpiece. Here, sculpted art and thoughtful landscaping intertwine, narrating 13 years of growth, harmony, and the artistic interaction between humanity and the land.

The journey of becoming

Renowned for orchestrating spectacular immersive landscapes, Land Morphology’s al fresco creations are designed to foster meaningful connections between people and place. This reputation made the firm a natural choice for InSitu Garden’s owner, who dreamt of creating a garden that would resonate with the rolling acres of his Connecticut property.

“The client wanted a large garden for the property he loved,” says Hartage. “He walked it multiple times a day and entertained family and friends frequently, so we created a series of destinations to reward him and his visitors.”

Initial designs included shady arbours, dining terraces, water and fire features, and a large sunken garden. Energized by Hartlage’s vision and swept up in the thrill of creation, the client began to push the boundaries. Ideas flowed. Possibilities multiplied. The InSitu Garden unfolded naturally—unconfined and full of wonder.

“There were no end goals!” exclaims the architect. “We would walk the property endlessly, discussing opportunities. One idea—and space—led to the next, until we created a cohesive whole shaped by warm-toned stone and an abundance of plants that soften the architecture. We decided that simple forms with minimal ornamentation would reinforce the garden’s rustic character.”

The client and architect shared a vision: a garden that would harmonize with and celebrate the bucolic beauty of the Connecticut landscape.

“Distant views of the lush surrounding landscape can be seen throughout the garden,” describes Hartlage. “Bordering trees continue to the horizon, while meadows abound, populated with native plants like ‘Fireworks’ and ‘Little Joe’. Additionally, because this region has some of the country’s oldest architecture, all garden structures are derived from this tradition. Stone walls are ubiquitous in Connecticut—on the site, there were existing walls dating back 200 years, so we added more to create garden spaces, sourcing brown granite directly from the property to build walls, stairs, and structures.”

Rooms within rooms

At the heart of InSitu’s allure is its thoughtful layout, where acres transform into what Hartlage calls “garden rooms.” This collection of spaces—some larger, some smaller, some with areas for living or entertaining—creates verdant destinations nestled into the rustic topography of the site. Like an elegant residence, or perhaps a leafy open-air mansion, every room reveals its own charms.

“InSitu’s series of garden rooms is harmonious with a spiritual quality, inspiring the visitor to relax and form a deeper connection to the land,” explains Hartlage.

Those wandering the garden might find themselves on a scenic woodland walk, at a bocce court, or ankle-deep in a flower-strewn meadow. Another path could lead them to a sparkling swimming pool or a water garden surrounded by black-eyed Susans.

“The garden rooms evolved out of a desire to experience the property as a whole, although each space has a unique character,” adds the architect. “Some garden rooms are for active use, some are quiet for contemplation, while others are to appreciate natural elements, like a waterfall, or a beautiful grove of hemlocks.”

Throughout their walk, visitors will encounter a proliferation of art installations and artisanal works dispersed across the estate, fostering a compelling interaction with the landscape’s inherent beauty. This interplay mirrors the garden’s design philosophy, blending the owner’s personal tastes with Hartlage’s passion for the Arts and Crafts movement.

“Because the Arts and Crafts movement celebrates artisan-made elements, all our structures are simply detailed and crafted by hand. Craft is an integral element, achieved by talented craftspeople capable of beautiful, honest construction. The stone mason worked stone by hand using traditional methods, while our carpenter introduced a rustic, durable quality with rough-sawn, locally cut white oak.”

One of the garden’s most memorable features, Hartlage notes, is a weathered steel viewing platform, a bold piece of functional art that looms over the landscape, almost 20 feet tall, in the shape of an elongated, upside-down pyramid.

He describes it as a vantage point offering a sweeping view of the entire garden. “The platform sits precariously on its point while appearing to float in billowing masses of switch grass and goldenrods. Inspired by the Large Hadron Collider, circular motif cuts in the panels resemble colliding atomic particles, forming a beautiful counterpoint to the linear form of the inverted pyramid.”

With 13 years in the making, InSitu is now a living masterpiece of art and nature. Gardens created this way aren’t just spaces—they’re personal stories, richer than any master plan. As Hartlage reflects, “The best gardens are created in this manner.”